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Swami Chetanananda

Minister, Vedanta Society of St. Louis

Swami Chetanananda is the Minister of Vedanta Society of Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri.He has been associated with the order since 1950. He officially joined the Order as a monk in 1960. He was initiated by Swami Shankarananda, the seventh president of the Order and the private secretary of Swami Brahmananda, a direct disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Before coming to the United States, the Swami worked in the Publication and Editorial Departments of Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati, Himalayas, and its branch in Calcutta. He served as the Assistant Minister of the Vedanta Society of Southern California, Los Angeles, from 1971-1978. In 1977-1978 he served as Vice President of the Inter-Religious Council of Southern California, and at present is a cabinet member of Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis. He was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri, in March 1978 and served as Assistant Minister of the Vedanta Society of St. Louis under Swami Satprakashananda. He became the Minister of the Society in January 1980, after the death of Swami Satprakashananda in November 1979. He is also the Minister of the Vedanta Society of Kansas City, Missouri.